Dad — Page 2

Current Painting Project & Easel

June 20, 2021 at 9:52 am by Claudia

This is the tabletop easel I purchased. In my research, most of the tabletop easels looked a tad flimsy. I wanted something solid that would not move (as did my previous easel) when I painted. It’s made of oak and it’s made in America (so rare nowadays) and it will grow with me when I graduate to larger canvases. As you know, right now I’m staying with smaller sized paintings as I explore this new passion. Eventually, fingers crossed, I’ll be brave enough to tackle something larger. By the way, the easel had nothing but great reviews.

Kitchen photo is as is: real life, with coffee cups and a bag of popcorn on the counter. If memory serves, I think Don had just returned from the store.

It’s a hot one this weekend and we’re limiting our outdoor time. Plus, I had an allergy attack last night. with watery, itchy eyes, along with a sneezing fit. This has been one of the worst years for my allergies. I’m so, so over it.

Don is currently mowing the paths up in the woods. Truth be told, he’s been neglecting them a bit because he’s so into his music right now. But he’ll catch up. We also cleaned up the growth in front of the trailer bird house in case our friends want to rent it out again.

I’m working on this right now:

I need to fix one or both of the handles. I know they’re off, but I have to look at the vase to see which one is more accurate. That’s on the docket for today. The blue will eventually be darker to match the color on the vase. I have a lot more detail to add, as well. This pattern is Snowberry.

Don wants to frame each of the paintings in the Roseville series. He has some ideas as to where we should hang them. I have to say that it’s wonderful to have his support and enthusiasm.

Father’s Day. As with Mother’s Day, it can be both positive and negative. For those who have lost their fathers or had complex issues with a father or didn’t have a father growing up, I wish you peace. We honor our fathers on this day but allow for complex emotions as well.

I miss you Dad.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

My Dad’s Paintbox

May 13, 2021 at 10:13 am by Claudia

A little tour for you of my dad’s paintbox, with some commentary here and there:

The back, where the hinges are, has some duct tape on it – just two pieces. It must have seemed a bit rickety, so Dad secured it.

The top tray.

A bottle of linseed oil that leaked long ago. It’s now permanently attached to the wood. I tried to loosen it and it’s not budging.

Character.

The bottom tray. He had lots of brushes, some of which are unused, palette knives, big brushes for priming the canvas, I expect, and lots of oil paint.

Winsor and Newton has been going strong for a long time. My oils are made by Winsor and Newton, and so are Dad’s.

I remember Grumbacher paints and brushes. They’re still being sold today.

Dad’s palette and a Grumbacher brush.

Now I remember dad occasionally watching Bob Ross on PBS.

I think the box itself is a work of art. Well used tubes of paint, brushes, solvents, cleaners, paint marks – it’s all lovely to me.

It was airing out on the funky patio all day yesterday. I’m going to do it again today. Hopefully, that musty smell (which isn’t all that bad) will dissipate.

Some of the brushes are new, still in the package, so I might use them. Or I might just leave everything as is in homage to my dad, who found peace through painting, a respite from the demons that sometimes plagued him.

I’m so honored to have it here at the cottage.

Love you, Daddy.

Happy Thursday.

The First Attempt

May 12, 2021 at 9:45 am by Claudia

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to jump in and give oil painting a try. I printed out several photos from my photo library – landscapes I thought might work – set up my little studio on the kitchen table, and jumped in.

It ain’t easy and I have much to learn.

But I’m fairly pleased with the result, considering that I have never painted in this form. Furniture for the dollhouse? Yes. Furniture for my real house? Yes. But that’s it.

I’m forcing myself share this process as I explore this entirely new world. I posted this on IG as well.

This is a scene in the English countryside, from a photo taken when Don and I were on the train heading to Edinburgh.

Don, who is my biggest supporter, was raving about it. I think he had no idea what I might or might not come up with! He thinks I can do anything, God bless him.

I didn’t know it, but he was sneaking around taking photos of me while I was painting.

I am aware that my palette is messy. Other painters seem to be much more organized than I was this first time out! I changed some elements of the photo, and not necessarily on purpose. I was simply allowing myself to be and discover.

The studio annex – in the kitchen. The kitchen gets the best light in the house. Our studio upstairs doesn’t really get any good light until late in the afternoon. Luckily, Don loves seeing creative works-in-progress in the kitchen. I don’t know if you remember, but my very first dollhouse rehab took place entirely in this kitchen.

I stashed some of my supplies in the old soda crate. If this new endeavor sticks, I’ll buy a tabletop easel, but for now, this little box/easel seems to work fine.

And, at the end of the day as we were doing the dinner dishes, who should appear but Alan, our UPS driver, with a big box containing my dad’s paintbox! It’s musty smelling and one of the compartments has a bottle of linseed oil that leaked decades ago and is now a permanent part of the box. I’m thrilled it’s here. I’ll take some photos of it today. It was too dark last night.

Okay. I have to add some top soil, sow some seeds, water the indoor plants, and do some weeding. That involves going to the shed, which is right next to the robin’s nest, and the protective dad keeps yelling at us and chases us all the way back to the house.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Current Painting Project & Easel

My Dad’s Paintbox

The First Attempt

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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